ELLINWOOD, Alexander Preston
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties,
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 640-644 (Portrait p 641)
Probably no man in Reedsburg was better known in that city and the
surrounding country than Captain ELLINWOOD. Having resided in that place for
more than 40 years, and having been actively identified with many public
movements, he was brought into contact with a large number of people, and
though his views were not always in harmony with those of many of his
contemporaries, no one will deny that his sentiments were honestly conceived
and fearlessly expressed on all occasions.
He was born near Peterboro, Madison County, NY, 09 Sep 1833, and is a son of
George W. ELLINWOOD and Hannah J. ALEXANDER. At the age of 16 years he
started out to make his own way in the world and spent the first season as a
farm laborer at $8 per month. The next year he entered New York Central
College at McGrawville [Allegany County], a progressive institution, which
was the second in the U. S. to adopt the system of co-education for both
sexes. He spent several years there earning the means to continue his
studies at intervals, by such employment as he could secure. A part of this
time he taught a country school for $17 per month and "boarded round." Later
he was engaged as principal of a graded school at McGrawville, NY, but a few
days before he was to begin he learned that some of [p 643] the patrons were
seriously opposed to his being employed on account of his "free thinking"
principles, and determined to seek a position elsewhere. In company with A.
J. WARNER, since famous as a leader of the "free silver movement," but at
that time a penniless student like himself, he went to central PA. They
earned enough to meet their meager expenses by working for farmers along the
route until they reached the Kishacoquillas Valley, where they taught an
academy until they had procured sufficient means to return to college. The
same indomitable spirit of perseverance which induced him to obtain an
education at any sacrifice characterized subsequent efforts, and he never was
known to abandon an undertaking which he set out in earnest to accomplish.
Having finished the sophomore year at college, he took a trip through Canada
and the west, arriving in Sauk County in 1858. He taught at Reedsburg and
elsewhere until the beginning of hostilities between the north and south
admonished him that there were more urgent duties to be performed and that
his assitance was needed in the preservation of the Union. He accordingly
directed the same enthusiasm to this work which had marked his efforts in
other lines, and assisted in recruiting Company A, 19th WI Volunteer
Infantry, which included in its membership a number of his former pupils. He
was enrolled 19 Dec 1861 and was at once made 2nd Lieutenant of the company.
The regiment served from that time until the close of the war, being employed
most of the time in VA and NC, taking part in a number of battles and
skirmishes and suffering much from malarial fever. Though he was offered a
much more desirable position soon after entering the service, he declined to
part company with the men whom he had been instrumental in persuading to
engage in the conflict, and continued to share their hardships and privations
until his services were no longer needed and he was mustered out as captain
of the company, 09 Aug 1865.
Returning to Reedsburg Captain ELLINWOOD organized and taught a select school
after which he was principal of public schools for several years, many of the
successful men and women who were students at that time bearing testimony to
the thoroughness of his instruction. Subsequently he was engaged at
intervals in various lines of business; at one time he was in the mercantile
business, at another time in the lumber trade; during the period in which the
cultivation of hops flourished in Sauk County he dealt quite extensively in
that product, meeting with severe losses in the crisis of 1868, at which time
most of his contemporaries were hopelessly involved. In 1870 he purchased
the square known as Mott's second addition to the village of Reedsburg [Sauk
County, WI], for $150. It was then a tract of wild land containing something
over two acres. Though his lack of judgment was derided by the real estate
dealers of that time, he built his residence theron and set about the
improvement of the property, which is now covered with buildings and good
residences. From time to time he made additional purchases, acquiring at one
time about 300 acres in and adjacent to the city. The value of all this
property has greatly increased and much of it has been subdivided and
improved.
One of Captain ELLINWOOD's greatest enterprises was the conduct of the
Reedsburg Fair, which he held annually upon his own grounds for 17 years. He
spared neither time nor money in fitting up the premises for this purpose and
always paid all premiums promptly, though, owing to unfavorable weather, this
was sometimes done at a heavy loss. The people soon began [p 644] to
appreciate his efforts and heartily cooperated in the undertaking, making the
fairs great successes as long as they were continued, but owing to failing
health and other considerations, he finally found it expedient to abandon the
exhibitions. His wife, to whom he was wedded 21 Dec 1868, conducted the
ladies' department of the fair and was of great assistance to him in this as
in many other undertakings. The maiden name of this lady was Hannah
COTTINGTON. She was born in Waterville, NY, and is a daughter of Jesse and
Rebecca (FORWARD) COTTINGTON, who were among the pioneers of Sauk County.
[See also the biography of Hannah's brother, Amos COTTINGTON, this county.]
The three boys born to Mr. and Mrs. ELLINWOOD died in infancy. They reared
and educated one adopted daughter, Edith, now the wife of E. A. THOMPSON, of
Reedsburg.
Captain ELLINWOOD maintained liberal but decided views on most public
questions. He leaned toward the Unitarian faith, though not connected with
any church. For 40 years or more he was identified with the Masonic order
and was active in the work of the G. A. R., being a past commander of H. A.
Tator Post, at Reedsburg. The temperance cause always found him a ready and
able champion. The lively interest which he always manifested in public
affairs led to his being chosen for the execution of numerous official
trusts. For several years he was chairman of the town and village and,
though he vigorously opposed the incorporating of the city, was elected its
second mayor; for several years he filled the office of chairman of the
county board of supervisors, of which body he was a member for 20 years or
more, and in 1877 and 1878 he represented his district in the WI assembly.
He was one of the committee of five appointed by the county board to take
measures for the relief of the poor in Sauk County, and in erecting the
county poor farm buildings, a work he took much pleasure in, as he was a
friend of the indigent and helpless. Being naturally gifted with unusual
powers of language and reason, he had no hesitation or embarrassment in
expressing his ideas on any topic in public or private, whenever occasion
required. Although his position regarding matters of public policy was
sometimes vigorously assailed, he retained no malice toward any one and
enjoyed the personal friendship and esteem of most of the people of Sauk
County.
Captain ELLINWOOD died 06 Feb 1900. His body was escorted to the grave by
many of his comrades of the 19th regiment, six of whom acted as pall bearers.
Many comrades of his company were present, as well as members of H. A. Tator
Post, G. A. R., and of the Women's Relief Corps, and a large concourse of
friends. Mrs. ELLINWOOD is still residing in the home place, built in 1872.
Contributed by Cathy Kubly